A place for the Everett Family. Used for family news, random bits of interesting stuff found via the Internet, Monkey Friday, Left Hand Alert and whatever we decide to post.

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

High Cholesterol Benefit??

I have read in the past, articles that talked about side benefits of statins (cholesterol lowering drugs such as lipitor).

Here is the blog posting that describes a couple of side benefits to the usage of statins:Statins Prevent Lung Damage?

Nature News reports on a preliminary study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians. The study indicates that the cholesterol-lowering drugs in the statin family may protect against lung damage caused by cigarette smoking.

The study, presented by Walid G. Younis, MD, consisted of data analysis of results from a survey done on 485 smokers and ex-smokers. They found that those who took statins had much less lung damage.

"Of course, the real solution to preventing lung damage in smokers is for them to quit smoking. But for those who appear to be unable to do so, this could present an opportunity for harm reduction. That, of course, tends to be a highly controversial subject. Many addictionologists are philosophically opposed to harm reduction strategies."

I find it odd, since statin usage can also allow individuals that have very poor eating habits to continue those habits while reducing the harm. I have been exposed to the idea and believe that food addiction is real therefore shouldn't addictionologists also be philosophically opposed to the use of statins in many cases to lower cholestrol??

I am not convinced that exercise and great diet will lower my cholesterol to normal level, but I am also not driven to confirm or deny my belief due to my usage of lipitor.